Marion Berry to announce retirement

Arkansas Rep. Marion Berry (D) will announce plans to retire after seven terms, according to two sources familiar with his plans.

The move would make him the second Arkansas Democrat – after Rep. Vic Snyder – to announce plans this month to forego a re-election bid.

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Berry would be the twelfth House Democrat to retire this year, and the fifth from a district John McCain won in 2008, and Republicans are certain to target his seat.

Rick Crawford, a farm broadcaster, had already entered the race, and other possible Republican contenders include state Rep. Davy Carter, state Sen. Johnny Key, former state Sen. Shawn Womack, and former Congressman Tommy Robinson.

Republicans pounced on the retirement as evidence of Democratic woes in the wake of Tuesday’s special election in Massachusetts.

“The message coming out of the Massachusetts special election is clear: No Democrat is safe. In the aftermath of Scott Brown's victory this past week, it has become evident to Democrats that to run for reelection in this toxic political environment is to ensure defeat at the ballot box in November,” said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Ken Spain.

“It is understandable that even veteran Democrat incumbents who were once-perceived to be entrenched in their districts, no longer have the stomach to face the voters they have infuriated by ignoring the will of the people and rubber-stamping the Obama-Pelosi agenda of government takeovers and fewer jobs,” said Spain.

A host of Democrats are mentioned as potential candidates to run in Berry’s place, including Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, State Rep. Keith Ingram, State Treasurer Martha Shoffner, former Lt. Gov. Tim Wooldridge, state Sen. Jason Willett, and former state Democratic Party chair David Wyatt.